Device for folding strips



Sept. 13, 1955v M, Fl URR|E 2,717,779

DEVICE FOR FOLDING STRIPS Filed Aug. 7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTORSept. 13, 1955 Mi F. CURRIE 2,717,779

DEVICE FOR FOLDING STRIPS Filed Aug. 7, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FigyFigVII NVENTOR United States Patent O DEVICE FOR FOLDING STRIPS MargaretF. Currie, Manhasset, N. Y.

Application August 7, 1952, Serial No. 303,111 4 Claims. (Cl. 270-93)This invention relates to an improved device for folding flexible sheetmaterial, in strip form, capable of being creased, folded or shaped. Itis especially adapted for folding textile fabrics to form bands, edging,reinforcements, ribbons or the like. The device is simple and is readilyhandled by the home seamstress. Folded fabric strips of the typereferred to are of value in numberless utilitarian and ornamental uses.They are of common occurrence in wearing apparel, household articles,draperies, and in many other situations. The folded strips are formed,according to the present invention, by placing a flat strip on thedevice, turning a marginal portion of the strip under and engaging itwith a guide member, and drawing the strip through the device to form acontinuous fold on one or both margins of the strip, as subsequentlydescribed more in detail.

This application is a continuation-in-part of the present inventorscopending United States patent application Serial No. 291,881, filedJune 5, 1952, now U. S. Patent No. 2,708,113. It was there stated thatbands and the like are available on the market in rolls. If bought insubstantial quantity, they are costly. Moreover, even aside from theexpense, the products on the market often are not available in thedesired material or color. With the device of the application referredto, and with the present invention, a decided advantage can be securedby using a part of the seamstress stock material to make bands matchingthe main work.

The present invention is in some respects more advantageous than that ofthe application referred to, especially in that it has somewhat greateraccuracy in preparing narrow bands or the like and is simpler tomanufacture.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. I is a perspective View of one form of the invention;

Fig. II is a transverse sectional view, showing the parts of the deviceof Fig. I in partially folded position and a strip of fabric in thedevice;

Fig. III is a fragmentary enlarged sectional View, showing the devicerolled into operative position with the fabric strip folded and ready tobe pulled through the device;

Fig. IV is a perspective view corresponding to Fig. III;

Fig. V is a perspective view of another form of the invention;

Fig. VI is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken at the forwardedge of the base of the device of Fig. V and showing a fabric strip inposition;

Fig. VII is a View corresponding to Fig. VI, except that Fig. VII showsthe parts of the device fully assembled and in position for formingfolds in a strip of material; and

Fig. VIII is a perspective View of a modified form of guide member.

Referring first to Figs. I to IV of the drawing, reference numeral 1denotes a base which is foldable along the junctures denoted by 2, 3 and4. Base 1 is preferably made of glazed paper, metallic cloth, or othermaterial which is flexible yet has some degree of rigidity and iscapable of withstanding moderate heat. A shaping means, shaper, or guide5 is secured to basel in any suitable manner; in the form shown, it isattached to base 1 by two rows of stitching 6 and 7. Guide 5 may be madeof cardboard or equivalent material which has sufficient flexibility topermit insertion, between guide 5 and base 1, of the overturned margins8 and 9 of a fabric strip 10. Base 1 may be regarded as formed of fourjointed sections, the first section being adapted to serve as the baseproper (1b), a second section 5 which carries guide 5, a third section1c adapted to be turned over the guide, and a fourth section 1a adaptedto be turned to rest against base 1b, as shown in Fig. III. Y

The form of the invention shown in Figs. V to VII differs from theforegoing principally in that the strip to be folded is held against theupper edge of a base 11, instead of within the area of the base, as inthe device of Figs. I to IV. Base 11 carries a folder or holding member12. Base 11 is preferably made of rather heavy cardboard, metal,plastic, or the like, having the mentioned qualities of some rigidityand heat resistance.` Holding member 12, which is flexible, carries aguide 13, which may be secured to holding member 12 in any suitable way,as by glue or stitching.

Fig. VIII shows a variant form of guide, comprising a steel strip 15',or equivalent member, firmly fastened in holding member 12. This membermay be folded over to form a tubular pocket 17, which is then stitchedor otherwise fastened to form a carrier for strip 15. Pocket 17 isstitched in such a way as to leave the edge portions free to receivetherebeneath the folded margins of the strip of fabric, in the samegeneral manner as guide 5 is mounted in the device of Figs. V-VII. Thisform of guide may be substituted for the one shown in Figs. V-VII.

In using the form of the invention shown in Figs. I to IV, assuming thata band folded under on both sides is to be made, the operator cuts astrip of fabric 10 to a width equal to the width of guide 5 plus thedistance between rows of stitching 6 and 7 and the respective adjacentsides of guide 5. The operator then slips the edges .of fabric strip 10under guide 5 so that the inner edges of the turned over portions of thefabric strip abut approximately against the rows of stitching 6 and 7.The strip, prior to folding, is shown at 10a in Fig. IV entering thedevice. By folding over the jointed parts above referred to, the deviceassumes the form shown in Figs. III and IV. Now the operator pulls thestrip of fabric through the device. The strip comes out accuratelycreased or folded on both sides.

When using fabrics that hold a crease readily, no additional creasing orfolding effect is needed. The fold will stay until there is opportunityto sew or otherwise set the fold in position. When using fabrics whichcrease with difliculty, it is best to place a warm flat iron upon ornear the upper side of the device. The heat will set the crease as thestrip is pulled through.

It is readily possible to operate the device in many cases withoutsecuring it to a board, table or other fixed support. The operatormerely grasps the projecting ends of the base with one hand and pullsthe strip through with the other hand. For some purposes, especiallywhen a fiat iron is used, after the fabric strip is placed in positionon guide 5, the base should be secured to a fixed object, as by thumbtacks or other means, which leaves both the operators hands free to pullthe fabric and handle the iron.

The width of the strip fed to the device is important. The instructionsprovided with the device when sold may state that the width of the stripto be used in the device is the same as the width of the first section1a of base 1 and that this should be used as a guide in cutting thestrip. Obviously, the invention is not dependent on any particular wayof forming the strip nor on the precise width; for best results,however, it should have the width stated. The device is primarilyintended for handling one width of strip only. In view of the simplicityof the device, it is easy to supply a set enabling the seamstress toprepare bands and the like of a variety of widths.

The operation of the device shown in Figs. V to VIII is similar to thatjust described. It is particularly advantageous when narrow bands or thelike are to be made. Guide 13 is mounted with sufficient flexibility topermit insertion of the turned under margins of the fabric Strip to befolded. The strip is placed on the device and the margins of the Stripoverlying guide 1.3 is tucked in so that the free edges abut against thestitching 14. Holding member 12 is then pulled around the forward edgeof base 11, and this action presses guide 13 and the folded fabric stripwhich it carries, against base 11. rl`he operator then holds the base inone hand, or fastens the device to a board or the like, and pulls thestrip of fabric through to form the folded strip.

Although the primary purpose of the invention is to facilitate the workof the home seamstress, the invention may be embodied in machine formfor commercial production of bands and the like.

The principle on which my invention operates is exemplied by theforegoing examples of preferred embodiments, which may be varied to someextent without departing from that principle.

I claim:

1. A fabric folding device comprisinga plurality of sections ofgenerally rectangular form connected respectively one with another alongtransverse lines to form a folder, a Shaper of generally rectangularform transversely mounted for lengthwise bi-marginal flexibility on oneof said sections to receive marginal portions of a strip of fabricbetween said Shaper and said section, another of said sections beingfoldable to compress fabric on said Shaper while permitting motion ofsaid fabric, whereby upon drawing said strip of fabric forwardly incontact with said Shaper, said Strip emerges in folded form.

2. A fabric folding device according to claim 1, in which the foldercomprises four flexibly joined Sections, the first section is adapted toServe as a base, the Shaper is mounted on the second section, and thethird and fourth Sections are foldable under said second section to forman assembly which may be compressed against the first section to holdsaid fabric in slidable relation to said Shaper.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, in which Said Shaper is mounted onthe upper side of Said second section by longitudinal means spacedinwardly from the edges of said Shaper so as to permit limited elevationof said edges to receive therebeneath portions of the fabric strip. v

4. A fabric folding device comprising four flexibly joined Sections, aShaper mounted on the second of said Sections, and adapted to receivethe folded margins of a portion of a strip of fabric to be folded, thethird and fourth of Said sections being foldable under said secondSection to form an assembly, which may be compressed against the firstsection to hold said fabric in slidable relation to Said Shaper, wherebywhen the fabric is drawn forwardly with respect to said Shaper, thefabric emerges therefrom in folded form.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 229,447Moorefield June 29, 1880 732,212 Newgarden June 30, 1903 1,001,546 McLinet al. Aug. 22, 1911 1,537,118 Kent May 12, 1925 2,400,698 Lissa May 21,1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 509,007 Germany Oct. 3, 1930

